Outrage as homes on crumbling UK coast promoted for their ‘sea views’ | UK | News
An estate agent has been accused of “mis-selling” homes on the British coast, which is among the fastest eroding coastlines in Northern Europe. Norwich-based firm Minors & Brady advertised new properties in Hemsby, Norfolk, defending them as “in a prime, elevated location with sea views”, failing to mention that more than 20 homes have been lost in the ocean in the last 15 years. The estate agent insisted listings for homes priced above £30,000 were “factually accurate” and that buyers were fully aware of the risks involved in making a purchase.
While one bungalow was said to have “stunning sea views” and a “laid-back, coastal lifestyle”, any reference to coastal erosion was missing other than a disclaimer advising those interested to do their own research “in relation to environmental changes in the area”. The cliff-top village, long a popular holiday home, is estimated to have lost 300 meters of its shoreline since the 1970s and five houses were demolished in December 2023 due to the risk of being swept away by large waves.
“It’s very bad for the people who buy them,” Natasha Hayes, general manager of places at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “We don’t recommend people buy these properties. Local estate agents should have a moral duty.”
Save Hemsby Campaign member Ian Brennan added: “Estate agents are mis-selling properties. They are not talking about the reality of the situation. Some of these houses may need to be demolished. This is wrong.”
Minors and Brady’s chief operating officer, Ryan Martin, argued that a condition of the sale was for buyers to visit the property before bidding so they were aware of the geographic location of the sale location.
“We are aware of coastal erosion, it is well documented and for us to take the necessary steps to protect both the buyer and the seller.” he said. ITV.
“We’re making sure everyone sees the property; it’s a mandatory requirement. They actually need to go and visit it, understand where it’s located in relation to the sea and what the current defenses are like.”
“Just a month ago we had a buyer who said: ‘Life is too short, I want to commit, I’m paying a price for a house that may be here for a limited time, but as a holiday home with a sea view that works perfectly for us, what more could I want?'” he added.
“While they may potentially have a shorter period of time that they can be in the property, they can also potentially be a much longer period of time that they can be in that property, so for the right person and the right buyer, they are more than happy to proceed with the transaction.”
